Background: VMS is THE project that brought out the best and the worst in me and my officemates. The project that made some of us cry... in anger, in frustration, sobrang pagod... During the final month, every week may overnight sa office. Actually, wala ngang uwian eh. I, for one, stayed in the office for 42 straight hours! I just went to the gym to use the bathroom! Hehe. If you think that's crazy, there are at least 2 more people who spent time in the office longer than I did!
Mai wasn't actually part of that project.
At the start of 2009, she was given one project which she needed to finish in 2 weeks... all by herself! Ayun, nag-ala VMS si Mai. This week, 3 straight days na nag-overnight sa office.
Ok...mejo confusing yung previous sentence. Unlike in VMS where we stayed in the office, Mai would stay up to very early in the morning then go back to the office by lunchtime. First time, 230am umuwi. 2nd day, 545am. Third day, 510am naman. I accompanied her on the 2nd and 3rd days. Sakit sa ulo! On the third day, I witnessed her rattle. Nung VMS days, if someone panics, nakikisabay ako.. hehe. This time, I stayed cool. I had to be the calming force. And that's when I finally made peace with my role.
With my first employer, my officemates were of my age. So pare-pareho kami ng trip. It was just a lot fun... parang college or highschool lang. In the office, we'd pass our deliverables at the end of the day... very structured kase yung process non. Outside the office, bonding time with officemates.
With my second employer, I was one of the younger ones. Mejo spoiled by my "ate's" and "kuya's"... I had my mentors teaching me about work and life. I actually enjoyed my stay here kase most of my life, I am the "ate". Oldest girl sa magkakapatid and magpipinsan. That's not going to change. The office environment was a welcome change kase feeling ko bunso ako. I enjoyed being taken care of.
With my current employer, iba na naman environment. I was hung-over the feeling of being "bunso", I wasn't ready yet to be the "senior" one. And so, nagpaka-immature ako, hehe. Was the vulnerable one sometimes. I had to be reminded once in a while what my role is... but those reminders fell into deaf ears. Sorry!
I'm called in 3 different ways sa office -- Ma'am Ghia, Ms. Ghia, Ate Ghia. (Actually, may tumatawag din sa kin ng Ghia lang or Geek, pero masisira ang point ko kung isasama ko mga yan, hehe.)
Ma'am Ghia -- as the leader of the team, I should be able to direct our team towards our goal. Professional ang dating.
Ms. Ghia -- During gradeschool and highschool, we'd call our teachers Miss. So this should be me, playing the role of a teacher. I should be able to teach what I know and share my experiences so that others may learn. Mentor role naman.
Ate Ghia -- I should be someone they could look up to. I should be someone they could share things and thoughts with. I should be the listener. Outside work, officemates are something to someone else -- daughter/son, bestfriend, boyfriend/girlfriend, sister/brother, etc... I should be able to acknowledge that.
I better live up to those names. I've had a good start though. My first overnight in the office this year was spent with listening to Andrew's anxieties. Hehe. Rose also has finally started sharing her concerns about work. I've also started opening up about non-work related matters to others as well.
I'm trying to be better... I hope I can learn fast for everyone's sake.
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